Mainebiz

V O L . X X X N O. V I I I A P R I L 1 5 , 2 0 2 4 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Gneiss Brewing Co. in Limerick said it will close its doors after more than 10 years in business, citing lingering effects of the pandemic, including supply chain issues and workforce shortages. Howell Laboratories Inc. in Bridgton acquired ODAT Machine Inc., a full-service machine shop in Gorham. The acquisition included the shop's 40,000 square-foot office and industrial building in Gorham Industrial Park. Sea Meadow Marine, a nonprofit business incubator and marine business hub on the Cousins River in Yarmouth, has been awarded $790,000 in federal funds.The money will go toward rebuilding a bulkhead and launch ramp and installing water and sewer sys- tems, and comes from a community project funding program created by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Sea Meadow Marine was nominated by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District. www.biddefordmaine.org Images Courtesy of Reveler Development 1,690 new housing units projected here within 5 years 16% increase MEETING OUR DEMAND A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y S a m M i l t o n , C l i m a t e R e s o u r c e s G r o u p The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: What energy-efficient strategies can I incorporate into my new building? ACE Advises: Designing and building a new commercial space presents a prime opportunity to integrate best practices from the outset, minimizing both environmental impact and long-term operational costs. Here are three areas developers can focus on to achieve optimal energy performance in their new building: 1. Strategic site selection: Carefully choose the site to leverage natural resources to minimize energy consumption, such as pri- oritizing locations with opportunities to install ample rooftop or ground-mounted solar. Opting for brownfield redevelopment sites can reduce the need to bring in new power connections while helping to revitalize communities and preserve green spaces. 2. Sustainable design and building materials: Design with passive heating and cooling strategies, such as natural ven- tilation and daylighting, to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Implement water-saving fixtures and landscaping techniques to conserve resources. Adopting sustainable design principles may qualify you for Efficiency Maine incen- tives, tax breaks, and other lucrative financial benefits. Finally, consider using mass timber, the development of which Maine is a pioneer. Wood delivers multiple structural benefits and a lower carbon footprint over con- ventional building materials, and its use can also save time and money during construction. 3. Technological innovation: Finally, plan to integrate smart technologies and energy manage- ment systems to optimize your building's building performance. Utilize sensors and automation to adjust lighting, temperature, and ventilation based on occu- pancy and environmental conditions. Regularly monitor energy usage data and conduct energy audits to identify areas for improvement. Engage occupants in energy-saving practices through education and behavioral incentives. By incorporating strategic site selection, sustainable design practices, and cutting-edge technologies, Maine developers can create a new building that not only meets the needs of its occupants but also minimizes its environmental footprint and maximizes energy savings. Sam Milton is the owner of Climate Resources Group, a Maine-based company that connects businesses with financial incentives to afford clean energy and energy efficiency in their operations. Learn more at ClimateResourcesGroup.com, and you can reach Sam at Sam@ClimateResourcesGroup.com

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